A Plantation Wedding at Highgrove Estate

After dating for 11 years, Courtney and Tripp made their way down the aisle for their wedding at Highgrove in Fuquay Varina, NC on June 3^rd.

Their ceremony was held in the back of the estate and I provided music and a mic.  The parents came down the aisle to “Arioso” and the Bridesmaids to “Canon In D”.  Courtney came from the house and down the path with her father to the instrumental song “Feather” from Forrest Gump.  After a short ceremony they recessed to “This Will Be (An Everlasting Love)”.  Their minister excused the 125 guests and they made their way to the back patio for cocktails. 

During the cocktail hour I had a mix of rock, country and classic soul playing.  After pics were taken by Tara & Dave from Tara Parker Photography the doors to the ballroom opened.  I left music playing and went inside to line the wedding party up with help from Highgrove’s Amanda.  I introduced them to “Can’t Stop The Feeling” by Justin Timberlake.  They came in and had their first dance to “When I Say I Do” by Clint Black.  Courtney’s Father took the mic and welcomed everyone and blessed the family style meal.  During dinner I continued the same music mix.

After dinner we had the toasts and Sweet Memories Cake cutting to “How Sweet it Is” by James Taylor.  Courtney joined her Father on the floor for their dance to “Stand By Me” and Tripp & his mother to “Do I Make You Proud”.  I opened the floor with some Motown and top 40 that filled it shortly.  The star of the dance floor for me had to be Tripp’s Father!  He was going hard all night!  I think I even saw him dancing with his tie around his head.

We ended the night with “Me And You” by Kenny Chesney and finally “Sweet Caroline” that always turns into a great sing a long.  A sparkler exit followed from the front of the house.  Thank you Courtney & Tripp and congratulations!

DJ Randy Bennett  www.bunndjcompany.com/RandyB

Libby & Richard’s Angus Barn Wedding

Libby and Richard hosted an amazing wedding celebration at Raleigh’s Angus Barn Pavilion for 160 guests, many visiting from China.  I was honored to help them celebrate and dance the night away on Memorial Day.

Their ceremony was held at the pond and I provided music and mics for that.  As the guests began being seated I had a mix of classical versions of pop songs playing.  Right before the wedding party walked down the aisle I played the dance song “Changes” by Faul & Wad.  The lyrics are perfect for a wedding.  The wedding party entered to “Canon In D” and Libby & her Father to a piano instrumental called “Hold Your Hands”.  It is beautiful!  After a short ceremony that included their hand written vows, they recessed to “I Do” by Colbie Caillat.  Their minister Corinne released the guests and they made their way to The Angus Barn’s new back patio for cocktails & passed hors d’oeuvres.

During the cocktail hour I had a mix of rock, classic soul, standards and a few Chinese ballads playing.  After pics were done by Photographer Paul Seiler and video by Jeff Brewer Films the guests made their way inside for the dinner with lots of help from planner extraordinaire Sally Oakley Events.  The room looked amazing with arrangements by Watered Garden Florist.

I introduced just Libby & Richard and they came in for their first dance that was a medley I made for them.  They welcomed everyone and the served dinners of salad, prime rib & lobster came out. AMAZING!!! During dinner the Classic Carolina Photobooth opened and guests had a blast getting funny pics made.  During dinner I had the same music mix playing as cocktails.

After dinner we had a few toasts and the dessert station opened while I opened the dance floor.  I started with some Motown and top 40, then mixed shortly into some of Richard & Libby’s favorite EDM (electronic dance music) that filled the floor!  We ended the night with a bubble exit from the front of the pavilion.  Thank you Libby, Richard & Sally!  I had a blast playing for you, your friends and Chinese family!!

DJ Randy Bennett  www.bunndjcompany.com/RandyB

Jenn & Eric’s Wedding at Durham’s Bay 7

I met Jenn & Eric last year when they attended Doug & Kristi’s wedding that I also DJd.  They had so much fun they knew I would be the perfect fit for their wedding at Bay 7 in Durham on May 28th.

Their ceremony was held on the first floor of Bay 7 at the bottom of the stairs.  As the 160 guests arrived I had a mix of classical pop songs playing.  The Parents entered to “Over The Rainbow” and Groomsmen to “Home” both by The Piano Guys.  The Bridesmaids entered to a piano version of “A Thousand Years” and Jenn & her Father to “Make You Feel My Love” by Adele.  During the ceremony officiated by their friend Andrew, they had a reading and a beautiful vocal performance of Ingrid Michaelson’s cover of “Can’t Help Falling In Love” by their friend Karla.  She was so great! After the ceremony they recessed to “Can’t Stop The Feeling” by The Piano Guys.

The cocktail hour was held upstairs on the second floor and during it I had a mix of soft rock, classic soul and standards playing.  Guests enjoyed drinks, the vegetable & cheese station and passed hors d’oeuvres. Photographer Cole Gorman from Blest Studios got some great shots of the wedding party during the cocktail hour.

After the cocktail hour I invited guests to their seats and went upstairs to say hi to the new Bride & Groom.  I introduced just them to “Here Comes The Sun” and they came in for their first dance to the classic soul song “Make Me Yours” by Bettye Swann.  Jenn’s & Eric’s Fathers welcomed everyone and the food stations opened.  During dinner I played the same music mix.

After dinner we had the toasts and parents dances.  Jenn danced with her Father to “Days Like This” by Van Morrison and Eric and his Mother to “Carolina In My Mind”.  The dessert station opened and I opened the floor with some Motown & Top 40 that filled it very shortly.  For the next 2 hours the floor stayed packed to oldies, Top 40 and some 90’s & 2000’s hip-hop & dance music.

We ended the night with ”Dance With Me Tonight” by Olly Murs and guests made their way next door for an after party at Tyler’s Taproom.  What a fun night and great group to play for.  Thank you Jenn & Eric and it was great to see Kristi & Doug again!

DJ Randy Bennett  www.bunndjcompany.com/RandyB

A Beautiful Bride I’ve Known Since Birth

I met Morgan shortly after she was born.  Her Mother Lisa has been my hairdresser since 1990 and no one has cut my hair but her since then (except my cousin once).  Morgan made such a beautiful bride for her wedding to Will on May 27^th at the picturesque Oaks At Salem in Apex.

As the 160 guests arrived for the wedding I had classical versions of pop songs playing across the pond at the ceremony site.  I invited guests to find their seats and get ready for the ceremony to begin.  The Grandparents & Parents walked down to “You Raise Me Up” by Josh Groban.  The wedding party to “Love Me Like You Do” by Vitamin String Quartet and Morgan & her Father Ross to “Canon In D’.  One of her favorite songs.  After a short ceremony they recessed to “Somewhere Over The Rainbow” by Israel Kamakawiwo'ole.  The officiant Willfred released guests to the house for cocktails & delicious passed hors d’oeuvres by Donovan’s Dish.  Morgan & Will & the wedding party stayed at the ceremony site for pics by photographer Brittani Halbert.

During the cocktail hour I had a mix of country, classic soul & 90’s pop playing.  Guests chatted in the house and under the tent.  After pics were done guests found their seats and I went in the house to line up the wedding party.  I introduced them to “Crazy In Love” and Morgan & Will to “Bring ‘Em Out”.  They had their first dance to the piano version of “Then” by Brad Paisley.  Morgan danced with her Father to “I Loved Her First” followed by a special dance with Mother to “Like My Mother Does”.  So sweet and really meant a lot to Lisa!  Will then escorted his Mother to the floor for their dance to “I Hope You Dance”.  Morgan’s Father welcomed everyone and their officiant, Wilfred Gatling, blessed the meal.  The buffet opened in the house and I continued the same music mix.

After dinner we had the toasts and the Cinda’s Cake cutting in the house to “Pour Some Sugar On me”.  They really got each other and he definitely poured some sugar on her…even her arm got it! Before I opened the floor to everyone we had an anniversary dance to “In Case You Didn’t Know” by Brett Eldredge and I opened it to everyone with “Getting Jiggy With It”.  Soon the floor was filled and they dance for the next hour to line dances, 90’s, Top 40 and a few oldies.  We paused for the bouquet toss to “Milkshake” and garter removal & toss to “Get Low”.  Will and her frat brothers had a blast dancing to “50K” by Waka Flaka right after the toss!  We ended the night with “Amazed” and a sparkler exit from the end of the tent.

I was so honored to DJ Morgan and Will’s wedding!  I have been waiting for this night since she was born.  Thank you Morgan, Will, Lisa & Ross and congratulations!!  I can’t wait for my girl Emma’s!!

DJ Randy Bennett  www.bunndjcompany.com/RandyB

Photo courtesy of Brittani Halbert